Long Haul Trucker

Update 9/6
> Time in saddle as of 9/6: 163 hours, 16 minutes
> Miles ridden as of 9/6: 2,278
> Butt: Still sore but improving. "The downhills are helping now because you can put your thigh on the seat instead of your butt. There were no downhills in Kansas."

Ryan called today from Florence, Colo., where he was enjoying "brunch" mid-morning. He had slept in Pueblo, Colo., last night. He said his mood is good and his ankle is fantastic. He enjoyed tailwinds all the way through Kansas. His longest day yet was 128 miles on Sept. 5. He was to start climbing mountains today on his way to Guffey, Colo. " I don’t know how I’ll feel climbing – I’ve been riding flat up until now." He said that the most common thing that happens to him every day is that someone says, "What is your relationship with God?" and he has been doing his best to come up with answers. "I’ve been shown the Bible several thousand times." He had his first B.O.B. flat tire and patched it. The kevlar tires he got for his bike after all the blowouts have continued to hold together. The conversation today kept coming back to food. Some highlights:

> Dinner on 9/5 at a camp site: His first course was a 12-inch Subway sub, which he chased with a pork chop dinner in a Winnebago, served up by a couple who talked to him about the Bible. He said the chops were worth the lecture.
> Biggest meal to date: Two 12-inch Subway subs, back-to-back (chicken teriyaki and steak & cheese), in Virginia
> He noted that his breakfasts "are getting bigger" -- today (9/6) he started off by eating one Nature's Own Granola Bar Variety Pack (yes, the whole variety pack), then settled down at a restaurant for a Belgian waffle and huevos rancheros. He ate the box of granola bars before riding 36 miles for the "real breakfast"
> "I'm eating about four meals a day plus ice cream bars. I’ve turned out to be a real fan of ice cream."
> "I ate a whole chocolate pie for dinner once. Bought it at a grocery store. I think it had 3,000 calories."

He hasn't been able to send more pictures yet because libraries never seem to be open in small towns. He'll send more pics as soon as he can get Internet access.

P.S. Ryan noted that he forgot to report earlier that his fastest speed with the B.O.B. trailer was 53 mph back in Kentucky.

— Meredith

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